Thyroid Boosting: Managing Healthy Lifestyle with Hypothyroidism

 

     Many people struggle to maintain a healthier lifestyle.  However, those of us with hypothyroidism have a hard time stabilizing our body to regular basis.  For many individuals with symptoms like feeling exhausted, sluggish, difficulty concentrating, and unexpected weight gain. There was a point in time of my life my health began deteriorating as fatigue and concentration made it difficult to have what I once considered a nor a typical day.  Taking control of my health is vital which has to be planned to maintain a better healthier lifestyle and leads me to start by adopting a cleaner eating habit.  

How to live well with Hypothyroidism?

     One of the primary roles of your thyroid gland is it controls the metabolism of your body.  When the thyroid gland does not produce thyroid hormones, your metabolism slows down making you fell tired and exhausted. Thyroid hormone T3 and T4 controls cellular metabolism throughout the body. When you are talking about boosting your metabolism, you are allowing your body to continue performing efficiently easier to be more energized and lose and maintain your weight.  People with hypothyroidism are likely to have unexpected weight because their metabolic rate is slow.  In a study, The International Journal of Obesity, “higher BMI (body mass index) associated with higher TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). (Jacques, 2) The thyroid glands need specific foods and nutrient supplements to regulate hormone production and metabolism properly.Image result for thyroid healthy  Some foods that boost your metabolism include fruits (all the berries including pomegranate, lemon), almonds, oatmeal, vegetables (spinach, asparagus, kale), avocado, meats (fish (salmon), chicken, turkey), eggs, coconut oil, spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg), teas (green tea and dandelion tea), and water (6-8 eight ounce cups daily). Please see link: www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/9-best-foods-for-thyroid/ .  A nutrient supplement such as Vitamin B12, (helps regulate hormone and
metabolism), Vitamin B6 and C, Selenium (200 mcg daily, Zinc (30mg), Iron, Iodine,
Probiotic (30 billion daily), Alpha Lipoic Acid (600mg daily).  

     Some factors help control stability for the thyroid gland. An intake of protein contributes to advocate weight reduction and maintain muscle mass.  According to the short-term intervention, “studies have often shown positive effect high protein weight reduction diets on glycemic control. Most with in combination with higher weight loss by absorption diet patterns fast protein that is soluble”. (Claessen, Baak, and Monsheimer, et.al, 298) Proteins absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of amino acid and peptide and it’s required for an increase of muscle mass.  When you exercise, it’s recommendable to increase protein intake to repair any muscle mass or damage by excessive training. Protein helps out in the growth and repair of your muscles, bones, ligaments, tissues, and even your hair, skin and nails. It also boosts your immune system and maintains the digestion, metabolism, and circulation in function.   However, the requirement for the amount of protein intake depends on the durability of the exercise. Protein intake is about 100mg daily.  Foods that contain proteins are certain meats (fatty fish, chicken, lamb, turkey), eggs, vegetables (spinach, Brussel sprouts, kale), almonds.

     Another essential factor is that your body needs to keep the amount of thyroid hormone regulating, your body relies on the pituitary gland (master gland of the body) which controls several hormone glands and secretes into the bloodstream.  The hypothalamus function is to regulate body temperature and PH balance (normal PH is 7).  The body works maintaining a standard temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit which allows maintaining body weight.   Alkaline water and coconut water are essential to help with regulation and maintaining body temperature. It is also important to eat foods with antioxidants to build the immune system and improve hormone function.   Probiotics supplement can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and prevent infections.

     Maintaining a proper thyroid function would include leveling your cholesterol, blood pressure, body temperature (PH balance), hormones, support excretion of the intestinal tract which can present tremendous challenges due to one suit doesn’t fit all, what works for one person may not work for other.  But don’t give up, now you have the challenge to know your body and what works for you.  It’s vital for one with hypothyroidism to focus and maintain realistic goals to a healthy change and regular exercise.

 

Image result for thyroid healthy

Work Cited

Ain, Kenneth B. and Rosenthal, M. Sara.  The Complete Thyroid Book. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2011. Electronic Book.

Claessen, M., Baak, Van, and Monsheimer, S., et.al. The effect of a low-fat, high-protein or high-carbohydrate ad libitum diet on weight loss maintenance and metabolic risk factors.  International Journey of Obesity. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2008.278. pg. 296 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23801235. Accessed on 06 Feb. 2017.

Jacques, Jacqueline. The Role of Your Thyroid in Metabolism and Weight Control. Obesity Action Coalition. 06 April 2016. doi: http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/general-articles/the-role-of-your-thyroid-in-metabolism-and-weight-control . Accessed on 17 Feb. 2017. pg. 2

The Complete Thyroid Book by Kenneth B. Ain and Sara Rosenthal

 

 

Kenneth B. Ain was interested in medicine The Complete Thyroid Bookand biology through his high school years.  He volunteered at the Mutter Museum at the Philadelphia College of Physician and worked in the summers at the medical labs. Dr. Ain’s third year of medical school, he was under the wings of a new endocrinologist where he learned about endocrinology and thyroid. Later, he specialized in treating patients with dysfunctional thyroid and become the founder and directed the Thyroid Oncology Program at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.  Dr. Ain together with his wife, Sara Rosenthal, a bioethics and sociologist, wrote “The Complete Thyroid Book” for the purpose to provide people with information about thyroid disease and how to treat it.

“The Complete Thyroid Book,” provides a broader understanding of the thyroid gland.  It describes essential information on dysfunctional thyroid, recommendations for thyroid testing, how test results can vary for normal functioning lab results, and resources for healthy lifestyle.  Some doctors diagnose someone with a thyroid disease. However, they do not directly mention the patient the importance and effectiveness to treat their thyroid. Dir. Ain asked an audience of physicians questions about thyroid symptoms like tiredness, overweight, constipation, and dry skin.  A large group raised their hands.  According to Dr. Ain, “ the proper laboratory test acts as an honest broker providing evidence for making the correct diagnosis.” (Ain and Rosenthal,13). The authors do an outstanding job of simplifying information covering the anatomy of the thyroid gland, various forms of thyroid hormone, and review of different types of thyroid problems.  The book educates you how Hypothyroidism is thyroid condition where your thyroid gland is not or is over-producing thyroid hormones. It discusses issues preexisting thyroid disease towards infants at birth and women with pregnancy and menopause. According to the authors, “since thyroid disorders affect women so much more frequently, particularly as they age, balancing thyroid hormone replacement with the surrounding traditional estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement is challenging.” (196).Image result for quote on knowledge

 

“The Complete Thyroid Book” can be helpful for especially those who are new patients diagnosis with dysfunctional thyroid and invest in the time to researching how to normalize dysfunctional thyroid and how to live well after being treated. The authors’ purpose to this book is for patients who have been misinformed about thyroid disease or have been taking incorrect treatments and medications. According to Dr. Ain and Dr. Rosenthal, “ critical knowledge enables you to understand what underlies diseases or dysfunctions of the thyroid.” (3) I encourage readers to be self-educate by reading this book and getting a better understanding why it’s important to be aware of the red flags and not functioning normally.

 

 

 

Work Cited

Ain, Kenneth B. and Rosenthal, M. Sara.  The Complete Thyroid Book. McGraw-Hill                      Professional. 2011. Electronic Book.

The Road to Sanity


My week begins working 40hrs a week, getting home to cook for my son and me, doing mother’s duty, three times a week to the gym, and come back to study for my online classes for about 2hrs or until I fall asleep.  The weekend, I work a 4hr. Part-Time job, do house cleaning and attend Sunday church, not to include the time I spend doing things with my son as I am a single parent.  Can I be exhausted and dragging my feet at the end of the day or can it be I’m overloading myself? Oh Yes.  However, how does it feel when your fatigue, exhausted, have difficulty sleeping, and unable to concentrate (brain fog) is doubled knowing that there is no one to count on and you have to it.

Some people find out when they feel out of place or not normal, that’s when you have to figure out what’s going on.  Recently, I am becoming more aware of my thyroid conditions and the good news is that information of thyroid helps to bring much needed awareness to Hypothyroidism.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?Image result for thyroidism logo images

The causes of hypothyroidism can be understated or not specific; it does not give you a clear signal for the thyroid problem.  Approximately 60 percent of people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

 

Most common symptoms for hypothyroidism checklist:

____ Gaining weight inappropriately

____ Unable to lose weight with diet/exercise

____ Constipated, sometimes severely

____ Feeling cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters.

____ Fatigued, exhausted, run down, sluggish, and restless

____ Skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick

____ Swelling around the face area

____ Joint pains on hands and feet

____ Irregular menstrual cycles

____ Moods change frequently and feelings of worthlessness, depressed

____ I have difficulty concentrating and can’t  to remember things

____ Losing interest in normal regular activities

____ Hair is falling out and nails dry and breaking

____ Snoring more loudly

____ Shortness of breath

____ Eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes, which makes me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches

If the thyroid is left untreated, symptoms can worsen and lead to life-threatening problems.  The best way to find out if you have a thyroid condition, it’s recommendable to go to an endocrinologist.  An endocrinologist specializes in diagnosing disease related to the glands. Most common condition are diabetes, thyroid disease, and metabolic disorders.

Bloodwork is useful in the diagnosis of thyroid problems. You are
going to have to be diligent and informative of what test and results mean.  Following lab tests you can make sure that your doctor requests are: Thyroid Panel, TSH, Free T4 and Free T3, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO), Thyroglobulin (TgAb), Iron/Ferritin, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Homocysteine, Selenium, Zinc, Magnesium, Hemoglobin AIC, and Cholesterol Panel.  Once you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, your doctor will then be able to properly start you with thyroid replacement hormone and the right dosage. Most common thyroid replacement medications are Synthroid (generic Levothyroxine) is a synthetic drug produce thyroid hormone that contains T4 that your body has to change into T3 which can take up to 10 days, and  Nature-Thyroid (generic Armour-Thyroid) is a natural medication made from desiccated thyroid of pigs with contains both T3 and T4.  In some cases, it takes the time to show effects once starting on thyroid replacement medication, for other it takes them a period of 6 months.

 

 

 

Work Cited

 

Myers, Amy. The Thyroid Connection. Little, Brown and Company Hachette Book Group, Inc. September 16.

Ain, Kenneth B. and Rosenthal, M. Sara.  The Complete Thyroid Book. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2011. Electronic Book

 

 

 

 

The Thyroid Connection:Why You Feel Tired, Brain-Fogged, and Overweight — and How to Get Your Life Back by Amy Myers, MD

     Dr. Amy Myers was born in Louisiana and raised in a well healthy lifestyle home where her meals were organic foods. During her second year of medical school, she was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease (toxic diffuse goiter). She went through another path and worked with a doctor of Chinese medicine. Dr. Myer received her Doctorate in Medicine and worked her way for five years in emergency medicine.  She has helped many people recover from thyroid condition based on her program.  Dr. Myer is a prominent leader in Functional Medicine. She has authored numerous books, which include, “The Autoimmune Solution,” and “35 Recipes to Heal your Gut”. Also, she was announced as New York Times best seller author. She is a host of the upcoming summit “The Myers Way: Thyroid Connection Solution,” a free online summit and her latest TV show “28 Metabolism Makeover”. Dr. Myers currently has her office “Austin UltraHealth” in Austin, Texas, specializing IN Naturopathic/Holistic, and Nutritional Health.

“The Thyroid Connection” is a comprehensive map to direct you to understand thyroid condition. Dr. Myer simplifies the thyroid’s function and identifies the root of the symptoms causing you not to live an ordinary life. She gives a blueprint on how to reduce toxins, inflammations, controls stress by holistic medicine (natural healing) with meals, exercise, and natural supplements.  Dr. Myers uses her general skills to help people with thyroid condition take control of their life. Dr. Myers aims to provide a lot of holistic resources and medical advice. It takes readers to take charge by educating themselves about their thyroid and necessary changes to their natural diet plan and lifestyle.

Readers who are suffering from thyroid symptoms may have a better understanding and comprehension of issues that can cause thyroid disease.  The book educates on all spectrums of thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto Disease, Grave’s Disease, Hyperthyroidism, and Hypothyroidism. Dr. Myers has firsthand knowledge of thyroid condition herself, and as a medical professional, she knows what people with the condition goes through when someone is suffering from the disease. Thyroid epidemic affects about 20 million American and counting, and yet the medication giving does not adequately address the symptoms.  Dr. Myer teaches you how to work with your doctor, for instance, what blood tests to ask for, what they mean and do, how to research on available medications for thyroid hormone. She includes foods and some recipes for stress reduction, inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, and sufficient sleep.

Image result for brain fog tired

“The Thyroid Connection” is divided into five books.  Dr. Myers’ firsthand thyroid issue and with her knowledge helped thousands of people find many ways to take control of their lifestyle and achieve the best health. When I read Dr. Myer’s book, I began having a different perspective on how important it is to take control of myself mentally, psychological, and physically with this thyroid problem and focus that what I had to do to take my normal life.  There a quote by Susan Del Gatto says “If you choose not to deal with an issue, then you give up your right of control over the issue, and it will select the path of least resistance.”

Work Cited

Myers, Amy. The Thyroid Connection. Little, Brown and Company Hachette Book Group, Inc. September 16.

Radioactive Therapy: What’s Next?

After following with my endocrinologist, I was sent to the hospital to get more extensive tests done before going into radioactive iodine treatment.  For three days, I underwent a series of testing; ultrasound, MRI of the neck, and additional blood work.  All this was done to find out the appropriate treatment. I followed the doctor’s recommendations and opted for radioactive.  Radioactive Iodine TherapImage result for radioactive iodiney (RAI or I-131) is taken as liquid or capsule form. The radiation is used to destroy the thyroid cells that are using too much iodine instead of surgically removing the thyroid gland.  After a couple of days later, I underwent the radioactive therapy.  I was given a radioactive capsule and approximately three hours preceding the treatment; I was sent home. I was giving specific instruction to minimize immediate close contact for a minimum of seven days, specifically of contact and body fluids such as saliva and other excretions. The hardest part of being isolated for seven days is seeing my son’s little face (he was then six years old) trying to open the door and asking me why he couldn’t come in or if I was sick. That broke my heart, but I explained the situation to him, and he became the best nurse a mother can ask for.

A month later, my body began fighting against me.  It began with hives and red spots all over my body, my lips swelling. These symptoms resulted in another hospital visit for an unknown allergic reaction.  Then I blow up like a blowfish.  My face swelled, my eyes protruded, and I gained weight.  In three months, I gained approximately sixty pounds and went into a deep depression.  For the next five to six months, doctors didn’t know what was going on with me. That’s when it all began: my doctor started changing my medication trying to find something suitable to give some balance to my thyroid activity because my thyroid was not acting properly.  I continued explaining to my doctor that I felt that my body was intoxicated from the radioactive therapy which not an easy task getting him to listen.  Interestingly, my doctor was reluctant to listen to my concerns.  Recently, one of my co-workers underwent the same procedure that I did, and no medication worked until she went to a rejuvenation spa and had a series of tests and thyroid therapy. I decided to speak with my current doctor to see how that, or a similar treatment would work for me.

I have been searching for someone out there who has experienced the same symptoms as my case after radioactive therapy.  Just recently, I found a Natural News article of a woman who underwent radioactive therapy.  The dosage she was given caused her to be highly radioactive. Because of this overtreatment, she had to be isolated for three days in a lead-lined room.  If interested in reading more, follow the link:

http://www.naturalnews.com/054671_cancer_overtreatment_radiation_treatments.html.

The lesson learned here: prior to receiving treatment, research and prepare a list of questions for your doctor.  The worst place to be is in the dark when experiencing the trauma of a debilitating illness.

 

Work Cited

Z., Isabelle. Woman overtreated for thyroid cancer was isolated in lead-lined room for three days because she was emitting so much radiation. Natural News Network. 15 Jul. 2016. http://www.naturalnews.com/054671_cancer_overtreatment_radiation_treatments.html. Accessed on 19 Feb. 2017

Milas, Kresimira.  Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism. Vertical Health LLC. 27 May 14.      https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hyperthyroidism/radioactive-iodine-hyperthyroidism . Accessed 21 Feb. 2017.

The Journey and Prevailing Against Hypothyroidism

I always dreaded going to the doctor, but this time it was different because my life was about to change and I didn’t even know it.

            I went to my doctor’s appointment for a yearly checkup.  Everything was going very well, until I noticed my doctor, Dr. Rivera, looking at me differently and asking questions she generally didn’t ask me. She began checking my throat and stood quickly for a moment. Later, she asked me if I had rapid palpitations, tiredness or fatigue, hair loss, weight loss, and had trouble concentrating. Finally, I asked her what was going on. I was shocked everything that the doctor was asking me I was having these symptoms. However, I never noticed or paid attention to it because I have a crazy hectic lifestyle. Dr. Rivera even noticed I was having a rapid weight loss which mind you it was great. The same day she did some bloodwork and week later I returned to her office to find out I had a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.  Unfortunately, my goiter was a size of a tennis ball and needed to be removed.  After a month, I underwent a radioactive iodine therapy, which then left me with hypothyroidism.

         First, what is your thyroid gland?  It is common that most people do not know what thyroids are because it’s rarely mentioned, but if you only knew the importance of the thyroid’s function.  The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland slightly below the larynx (voice box) and in front of the trachea (windpipe).  It controls your metabolism and the thyroid aids as “speed control of the cell.” The thyroid uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Any small change of the thyroid hormone can affect the function of the body cells. Thyroid hormone relies on the pituitary gland (lies under the brain) to regulate the temperature of the body’s hormones. It is crucial to keep the thyroid hormone regulating. 

What are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism? 

        Hyperthyroidism (www.hyperthyroidism.com ) is an overactive thyroid or produces excessive thyroid hormone where it causes an enlargement of the thyroid gland called goiter. Hyperthyroidism is caused by a high amount of iodine, inflammation the thyroid gland, which makes thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) to come out from the gland.  It causes the metabolic rate increase rapidly or excessively.  Hypothyroidism is health condition where your thyroid gland is not producing thyroid hormones or another name for it is underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism is caused by certain misuse of drugs, a congenital birth defect, pregnancy, radioactive iodine treatment to treat goiter, and surgical removal of the thyroid gland. About estimated 20 million people have some thyroid condition.  Woman are about five to eight times more likely than men to have a thyroid problem. Image result for Thyroid Disease Chronic Illness Quotes

       I had to keep my negative emotions under control. I had to learn to cope and educate myself about this condition and from that day on my life was going to change not knowing the challenges I was going to come against and encounter.

 

 

Word Cited

Ain, Kenneth B. and Rosenthal, M. Sara.  The Complete Thyroid Book. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2011. Electronic Book.

Lights, Verneda, Solan, Matthew, and Fantauzzo, Michael. Hyperthyroidism. Healthline Media. 29 June 2016.  doi:http://www.healthline.com/health/hyperthyroidism?m=0&rw1#Overview1 .  Accessed on 16 Feb. 2017.